Visual fuel system for an engine welder

ABSTRACT

A fueling assembly for a fuel tank positioned in an engine driven welder. The fueling assembly includes a filler tube, a fuel level monitor and a grommet. The filler tube has a bottom portion and a top portion. The fuel level monitor includes a fuel level sensor position in the fuel tank and/or filler tube. The fuel level monitor includes a fuel level indicator positioned on the housing to enable an operator to view the fuel level indicator and the opening used to direct fuel into the filler tube during the filling of the fuel tank.

The present invention is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/746,614 filed Dec. 24, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,645.

This invention pertains to engine driven welding machines, and moreparticularly to arrangements for filling the fuel tanks of weldingmachine engines.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,928,535; 6,172,332; 6,263,926; 6,296,027; 6,472,635;and 6,708,736; and the Operator's Manual for the RANGER 9 areincorporated herein by reference and illustrate various types ofgrommets that can be used fuel assembly arrangements for engine welders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Engine driven welding machines include a gas powered engine to run agenerator which supplies power to the welding electrode. Consequently,the fuel tank for the gas powered engine must be periodically refilledwith fuel. Years ago, the gas tank opening for the engine welder waslocated at or near the base of the engine welding machine. This positionof the gas tank opening of the welder had several disadvantages, onewhich was that an operator was required to bend down to the ground toopen, fill and then reseal the gas tank. This problem was solved by theRANGER 8 and 9 sold by The Lincoln Electric Company. The RANGER 8 and 9included a cut out in the top cover of the engine welder to allow afiller tube to project therethrough. The filler tube extended to thefuel tank located in the base of the engine welder. As a result, anoperator could fill the fuel tank without having to bend down to theground.

Another disadvantage of prior engine welder fuel assemblies was that theclose proximity of the gas tank opening to the top of the gas tankprovided little, if any, warning to the operator during fueling that thegas tank was approaching a full condition, thus resulting in fuelspillage. This problem was also solved by the RANGER 8 and 9. The fueltank of the RANGER 8 and 9 was located at the base of the engine welderhousing and the filler tube opening was located above the top cover ofthe engine welder housing. As a result, the longer filler tube providedadditional warning time to an operator during the filling of the fueltank. In addition, the filler tube volume was larger volume near thefuel tank than at the filler tube opening. This variable volume of thefiller tube also provided the operator additional warning that the fueltank was approaching a full condition.

Prior engine welders had the further disadvantage of allowing fuel, thatback flowed through the filler tube during the filling of the fuel tank,to flow all over the top and/or side surface of the engine welderhousing. Such fuel spillage could result in the defacing of the enginewelder housing and/or damage to the internal components of the enginewelder. Once again this problem was overcome by the RANGER 8 and 9. TheRANGER 8 and 9 incorporated the use of a grommet that was positioned inthe cut out opening in the top cover of the engine welder. The grommetsealed the cut out opening to prevent fuel from leaking into theinterior of the engine welder housing. The grommet was also designed todirect any spilled fuel, resulting from the filling of the fuel tank,off to the side of the engine welder housing. As a result, any fuelspills were controlled by the grommet and resulting in the spilled fuelbeing safely directed off the side of the engine welder housing.

Although the fuel assembly design of the RANGER 8 and 9 has beencommercially successful, at times, fuel spillage can occur from thefiller opening during the filling of the fuel tank. During the fillingof the fuel tank, back flow of the fuel from the filler tube openingperiodically occurred even though the filler tube length had beenextended and the filler tube had a larger volume near the fuel tank. Inorder to address this problem, The Lincoln Electric Company developed anew fuel tank assembly which incorporated the use of a fuel gauge. Thisfuel tank assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,263,926 and6,296,027, which are incorporated herein by reference. The fuel gauge ispositioned adjacent to the filler tube and allows an operator to monitorthe fuel level in the fuel tank during the filling of the fuel tank. Asa result, the operator is better able to terminate the filling of thefuel tank long before any back flow occurs through the filler tube. Agrommet was again used to seal the cut out region about the filler tube.A portion of the top and adjacent side of the engine welder is cut outand the grommet is positioned in the cut-out region to reseal the topand side of the engine welder. The opening of the filler tube extendsthrough the bottom of the grommet. The cavity of the grommet directsspilled fuel to one side of the engine welder for easier cleanup ofspills. The grommet, like all grommets, was designed to maintain a sealbetween the filler tube and the grommet during the operation of theengine welder so as to prevent any fuel that spills out of the fillertube opening to enter the interior of the engine welder housing. Thegrommet also allowed for easy removal and cleaning during the periodicservicing of the engine welder.

Although the fueling assembly disclosed in Assignee's U.S. Pat. Nos.6,263,926; 6,296,027 and 6,708,736 addressed many of the past problemsassociated with the fueling of engine welders, there remains a need fora fuel assembly for an engine welder that minimizes the incident ofsplashback and spillover during the fueling of the engine welder,provides adequate notice prior to splashback and spillover during thefueling of the engine welder, is easy to service, facilitates in propersealing, and minimizes or prevents fuel from damaging the engine welderduring the occurrence of a fuel spill occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fueling assembly for a housed engine,and more particularly, to an improved grommet for the filler tubeopening in the housing of an engine welder; however, the invention isnot limited to engine welders, and can be used in all types ofmechanisms that include a gas powered engine.

In accordance with a principal aspect of the present invention, anengine driven device is provided which includes a housing to at leastpartially protect the internal components of the engine. The enginedriven device may include one or more other components at leastpartially in the housing. One type of engine driven device that isparticularly applicable to the present invention is an engine drivenwelder. Typically, an engine driven welder includes a housing to protectthe internal components of the welder. Protected by the housing is afuel powered engine and an electric generator. The fuel powered engineruns the electric generator which in turn produces electricity for thearc welder. The electric generator is selected to produce electricityfor various types of welders, such as, but not limited to, TIG welders,plasma arc-welders, MIG welders, STT welders, and the like. Electriccircuitry can be included within the housing to control the amount ofcurrent, voltage, power and/or the waveform of current directed to theelectrode of the welder. A fuel tank is provided within the housing tosupply fuel to the fuel powered motor. The fuel tank can be positionedin various areas within the housing, but is typically positioned at ornear the base of the housing of the engine driven welder. A filler tubeis connected to a portion of the fuel tank and extends upwardly from thefuel tank and through a portion of the housing to enable an operator torefill the fuel tank. The filler tube and fuel tank can be made from oneor multiple pieces of material. The filler tube and fuel tank aretypically made of a durable material such as, but not limited to, aplastic and/or a metal material. The engine welder typically includes acontrol panel to operate various internal components of the welder andto provide connectors to various components of the welder. One or morefixed or adjustable exhaust pipes for the fuel powered engine are alsoincluded on the engine driven welder. The one or more exhaust pipes canextend vertically upward or be oriented at some other angle. These andother standard components of an engine driven welder are disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,928,535; 6,172,332; 6,263,926; 6,296,027; and6,596,972, which are incorporated herein by reference. The engine drivenwelder is typically transported by a welding carriage. One particularwelding carriage which can be used is disclosed in Assignee's U.S. Pat.No. 6,909,068, which is incorporated herein by reference. In oneembodiment of the invention, the filler tube and fuel tank arrangementincludes a fuel gauge. The fuel gauge enables an operator to monitorfuel levels within the filler tube and/or fuel tank, enables an operatorto anticipate when the engine driven welder needs to be refueled, and/ornotifies an operator during the refueling process when the fuel tank isfilled, thereby reducing or avoiding spillage and waste of fuel. In oneaspect of this embodiment, the fuel gauge is designed to notify anoperator during the refueling process of the fuel level within the fueltank and/or filler tube, to enable an operator to cease the fuelingoperation prior to fuel backflowing and/or spilling out of the openingin the filler tube. The minimizing of spillage reduces the amount ofpotential damage to the welder and/or components about the welder,reduces the time and money required for clean-up of the spilled fuel,and/or reduces the money lost in wasted fuel. In another and/oralternative aspect of this embodiment, the fuel gauge is designed tomonitor the fuel level within the fuel tank to inform an operator of thecurrent fuel level within the fuel tank. In one particular non-limitingdesign, a portion of the fuel gauge extends into the fuel tank to allowfor fuel level monitoring within the fuel tank. In still another and/oralternative aspect of this embodiment, the fuel level monitor includes afuel level indicator that registers at least one fuel level. In oneparticular non-limiting design, the fuel level indicator indicatesmultiple fuel levels within the fuel tank (e.g., full, empty, ¼-filled,etc). In yet another aspect of this embodiment, the fuel level monitorincludes a fuel level indicator and a fuel level sensor assembly, whichfuel level sensor assembly at least partially extends the length of thefiller tube. In one particular non-limiting design, the fuel levelsensor assembly incorporates mechanical, electrical and/or chemicalmechanisms to at least partially sense the fuel level in the fuel tank.In another particular non-limiting design, the fuel level sensorassembly includes a mechanical float to at least partially sense thefuel level in the fuel tank.

In accordance with another and/or alternative aspect of the presentinvention, a tube access opening is positioned in a top region of thehousing of the engine driven device such as, but not limited to, anengine driven welder. The tube access opening is designed to provideaccess to an opening used to fill a fuel tank via the filler tube. Inone embodiment of the invention, the tube access opening is positionedat least closely adjacent to a side edge of the housing. In anotherand/or alternative embodiment of the invention, the tube access openingis position closely adjacent to the front panel of the engine welder. Instill another and/or alternative embodiment of the invention, the tubeaccess opening is positioned fully within the top region of the housing.

In accordance with still another and/or alternative aspect of thepresent invention, the filler tube includes a top portion and a bottomportion, wherein the bottom portion can be uniformly formed with thefuel tank or sealed to the fuel tank by various means such as, but notlimited to, welding, bolting, adhesives, and/or the like. Thecross-sectional area of the filler tube is sufficiently large to inhibitor prevent rapid back flow of fuel in the filler tube when filling thetank. In one embodiment of the invention, the cross-sectional area ofthe filler tube at least partially decreases from the bottom portion tothe top portion of the filler tube. The decrease in cross-sectional areacan occur along the complete length of the filler tube or only along aportion of the filler tube. The filler tube is designed so as to not tosignificantly increase in cross-sectional area from the bottom portionto the top portion of the filler tube. Typically, the filler tube doesnot increase in cross-sectional area from the bottom portion to the topportion of the filler tube. As defined in the present invention, aninsignificant increase in cross-section area results in a volumeincrease per longitudinal inch of filler tube of less than about 1.2occurring near the top of the top portion (e.g., within 3-4 inches ofthe top of the top portion), and typically a volume increase of lessthan about 1.15. For instance, the top portion of the filler tube mayhave a generally rectangular cross-section shape; however, 3 inches fromthe top of the top portion of the filler tube the cross-sectional shapeof the top portion transforms to a circular cross-sectional shape toaccommodate a circular cap or other circular component (e.g., circulartop fill section, etc.). In this non-limiting example, the generallyrectangular cross-section shaped section is about 3 inches wide and 2.25inches deep and the circular cross-sectional shape has a diameter of 3inches. The cross-sectional area of the generally rectangular section is6.75 inches and the cross-sectional area of the circular section isabout 7.1 inches. This nominal increase in cross-sectional area from6.75 to 7.1 due to the transition in shape of the top portion withinthree inches of the top constitutes a insignificant of increase of about1.05 (7.1/6.75=1.05). In one aspect of this embodiment, the filler tubeexhibits a decrease in cross-sectional area within the in the bottomportion of the filler tube and the cross-sectional area in the upperhalf of the filler tube remains substantially constant. In anotherand/or alternative aspect of this embodiment, the filler tube exhibits adecrease in cross-sectional area within the in the lower third of thefiller tube and the cross-sectional area in the upper two-thirds of thefiller tube remains substantially constant. In still another and/oralternative aspect of this embodiment, the filler tube exhibits adecrease in cross-sectional area within the in the upper half of thefiller tube and the cross-sectional area in the lower half of the fillerremains substantially constant. In yet another and/or alternative aspectof this embodiment, the filler tube exhibits a decrease incross-sectional area within the in the upper one third of the fillertube and the cross-sectional area in the lower two thirds of the fillerremains substantially constant. In still yet another and/or alternativeaspect of this embodiment, the filler tube exhibits a continuousdecrease in cross-sectional area from the bottom to the top of thefiller tube. In another and/or alternative embodiment of the invention,the filler tube includes a larger cross-sectional area in the bottomportion of the filler tube than in the top portion of the filler tube.In this embodiment, the largest cross-sectional area exist at the pointthe filler tube contacts the fuel tank. The cross-sectional area of thebottom portion can remain constant along the longitudinal length of thebottom portion of the filler tube. Alternatively, the cross-sectionalarea of the bottom portion can constantly or periodically decrease alongthe longitudinal length of the bottom portion of the filler tube. Thelarge cross-sectional area of the filler tube is designed to reduce therate at which the fuel rises in the filler tube after the fuel tank isfilled. The reduced rate at which the fuel initially rises in the fillertube as a result of the larger volume of the bottom portion of thefiller tube allows an operator more time to terminate the flow of fuelinto the filler tube once the operator is notified or learns from thefuel level indicator that the fuel tank is filled so as to prevent backflow or back splash of the fuel in the filler tube. The reduced rate atwhich the fuel rises in the filler tube is achieved due to the largervolume of the filler tube in the low portion of the filler tube. Thelarger volume requires more time to be filled, thus reducing the rate atwhich this section of the filler tube is filled with fuel. The size andshape of the enlarged portion of the filler tube can have a variety ofshapes and sizes (e.g. funneled shaped, spherical shaped, cubic shaped,block shaped, etc.). In still another and/or alternative embodiment ofthe invention, the cross-section area of the filler tube that isconnected to the fuel tank is at least about 1.5 times greater that thesmallest cross-section area of the fuel tube that is located at orclosely adjacent to the top end of the top portion of the filler tube.In one aspect of this embodiment, the cross-section area of the fillertube that is connected to the fuel tank is at least about 2 timesgreater that the smallest cross-section area of the fuel tube that islocated at or closely adjacent to the top end of the top portion of thefiller tube. In another and/or alternative aspect of this embodiment,the cross-section area of the filler tube that is connected to the fueltank is at least about 2.5 times greater that the smallest cross-sectionarea of the fuel tube that is located at or closely adjacent to the topend of the top portion of the filler tube. In still another and/oralternative aspect of this embodiment, the cross-section area of thefiller tube that is connected to the fuel tank is at least about 3 timesgreater that the smallest cross-section area of the fuel tube that islocated at or closely adjacent to the top end of the top portion of thefiller tube. In yet another and/or alternative aspect of thisembodiment, the cross-section area of the filler tube that is connectedto the fuel tank is at least about 4 times greater that the smallestcross-section area of the fuel tube that is located at or closelyadjacent to the top end of the top portion of the filler tube. In afurther and/or alternative aspect of this embodiment, the cross-sectionarea of the filler tube that is connected to the fuel tank is at leastabout 6 times greater that the smallest cross-section area of the fueltube that is located at or closely adjacent to the top end of the topportion of the filler tube. In a still further and/or alternative aspectof this embodiment, the cross-section area of the filler tube that isconnected to the fuel tank is at least about 8 times greater that thesmallest cross-section area of the fuel tube that is located at orclosely adjacent to the top end of the top portion of the filler tube.In yet another and/or alternative embodiment of the invention, thevolume of the bottom portion of the filler tube is at least about 1.2times greater that the volume of the top portion of the filler fueltube. Typically, the bottom portion of the of the filler tube is locatedin the lower 40-60 percent of the longitudinal length of the fillertube. In one aspect of this embodiment, the volume of the bottom portionof the filler tube is at least about 1.3 times greater that the volumeof the top portion of the filler fuel tube. In another and/oralternative aspect of this embodiment, the volume of the bottom portionof the filler tube is at least about 1.4 times greater that the volumeof the top portion of the filler fuel tube. In still another and/oralternative aspect of this embodiment, the volume of the bottom portionof the filler tube is at least about 1.5 times greater that the volumeof the top portion of the filler fuel tube. In yet another and/oralternative aspect of this embodiment, the volume of the bottom portionof the filler tube is at least about 1.6 times greater that the volumeof the top portion of the filler fuel tube. In still yet another and/oralternative aspect of this embodiment, the volume of the bottom portionof the filler tube is at least about 1.8 times greater that the volumeof the top portion of the filler fuel tube. In a further and/oralternative aspect of this embodiment, the volume of the bottom portionof the filler tube is at least about 2 times greater that the volume ofthe top portion of the filler fuel tube. In still a further and/oralternative aspect of this embodiment, the volume of the bottom portionof the filler tube is at least about 2.2 times greater that the volumeof the top portion of the filler fuel tube. In yet a further and/oralternative aspect of this embodiment, the volume of the bottom portionof the filler tube is at least about 2.4 times greater that the volumeof the top portion of the filler fuel tube. In still yet a furtherand/or alternative aspect of this embodiment, the volume of the bottomportion of the filler tube is at least about 2.6 times greater that thevolume of the top portion of the filler fuel tube. In another and/oralternative aspect of this embodiment, the volume of the bottom portionof the filler tube is at least about 3 times greater that the volume ofthe top portion of the filler fuel tube. In still yet another and/oralternative embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the filler tubecontinuously decreases over a majority of the length of the filler tubefrom the fuel tank to the top opening of the filler tube. In one aspectof this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the filler tubesubstantially uniformly decreases over a majority of the length of thefiller tube. In yet another and/or alternative aspect of thisembodiment, a portion of the filler tube extends from the interior ofthe housing and to a point at least closely adjacent to the tube accessopening. In one non-limiting design, the top of the filler tube ispositioned even with or slightly below the tube access opening. Inanother non-limiting design, the top of the filler tube is positionedabove the tube access opening. In still yet another and/or alternativeembodiment of the invention, a top fill section is connected to the topend portion of the filler tube. The top fill section typically includesa connection arrangement (e.g., thread, grove, latch, rib, etc.) thatenables a removable cap to the connected to the opening in the top fillsection. The use of a removable cap enables an operator to open andclose the opening on the top fill section. In one aspect of thisembodiment, the cap allows fumes to escape through the cap when thepressure within the filler tube exceeds a predetermined pressure. Thisdesign of the cap helps to inhibit or prevent high pressures frombuilding up within the filler tube and/or fuel tank. In another and/oralternative aspect of this embodiment, the top of the cap, when the capis inserted on opening of the top fill section, is level with or abovethe housing surface. In a further and/or alternative embodiment of theinvention, a top fill section includes a recess opening used tofacilitate in the holding a pump nozzle of a fuel pump. The size of therecess opening is selected to accommodate certain types of fuel nozzles.Fuel nozzles for gasoline have a smaller nozzle diameter than fuelnozzles for diesel fuel. As such, gas engine welders typically have asmaller recess opening than diesel engine welders. The design of therecess opening is generally similar to those used on automobiles;however, other designs can be used. In still a further and/oralternative embodiment of the invention, the filler tube is configuredto bypass the components inside the housing of the engine driven device.

In accordance with still another and/or alternative aspect of thepresent invention, a fuel level indicator of the fuel level monitor islocated on the housing of the engine welder at a pointed spaced from thefiller tube. The fuel level indicator can include a visual indicator(e.g., gauge, light, analog display, digital display, etc.) and/or anaudible indicator (e.g., buzzer, bell, speaker, etc.). Typically thefuel level indicator is located in the front panel of the engine welder;however, the fuel level indicator can be located in other areas (e.g.,housing side, housing top, etc.). The positioning of the fuel levelindicator on the front panel of the engine welder results in the fuellevel indicator being in a location that is always accessible during theoperation of the engine welder. The front panel of the engine welderincludes the controls, meters and connection points for the enginewelder. As such, the front panel must be accessible to an operatorduring the operation of the engine welder. One or more sides of theengine welder may not be accessible if the engine welder is positionedagainst a wall or side of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the fuel levelindicator includes a gauge. In another and/or alternative embodiment,the fuel level indicator includes a gauge and a buzzer. In anotherand/or alternative embodiment of the invention, the fuel level indicatoris located on the engine welder in a region that is close to the tubeaccess opening for the filler tube or the top fill section on thefilling tube. The close proximity of the fuel level indicator to thetube access opening enables an operator to fill the fuel tank and viewthe opening in the top portion of the filler tube or opening of the topfill section while also being able to view and/or hear the fuel levelindicator during the fueling process. The simultaneous ability to viewthe opening of filler tube or the top fill section and view and/or hearthe fuel level indicator enables the operator to better monitor thefueling operation and significantly reduce the occurrence of fuelspillage during the fueling process. In one aspect of this embodiment,the fuel level indicator is positioned on the front panel of the enginewelder and the tube access opening is positioned on the top of thehousing near the front edge of the engine welder. In one non-limitingdesign, the tube access opening is positioned about 0.25-3 feet from thefront edge of the engine welder and up to about 2 feet from a side edgeof the housing of the engine welder. In still another and/or alternativeembodiment of the invention, the fuel level monitor is partially orfully powered by the electricity generated during the operation of theengine welder. During the operation of the engine welder, a fuel poweredengine runs an electric generator which in turn produces electricity forthe arc welder. A portion of the produced electricity is directed to thefuel level monitor to enable operation of the monitor. Typically, thecurrent from the electric generator is passed through a circuit toobtain the desired current and voltage for the proper operation of thefuel level monitor. In still another and/or alternative embodiment ofthe invention, the fuel level monitor is partially or fully powered by apower source other than the electric generator that is powered by theengine welder. Such other power sources include, but are not limited to,a battery, solar cell and/or fuel cell. The use of these power sourcesenables the fuel level monitor to be used even when the motor to theengine welder is not operating. In certain instances, it may not bedesirable or possible to operate the motor of the engine welder duringthe refilling of the fuel tank. As such, if the fuel level monitor ispowered solely by the electric generator of the engine welder, the fuellevel monitor will not operate during the filling of the fuel tank whenthe engine welder is turned off. The use of a battery, solar cell, fuelcell and/or other power source enable the operation of the fuel levelmonitor during the filling of the fuel tank when the engine welder isturned off. The use of the battery, solar cell, fuel cell and/or otherpower can be the sole, primary (e.g., battery, solar cell and/or fuelcell the primary power source and electric generator the secondary powersource) or secondary power source (e.g. the electric generator is theprimary power source and the battery, solar cell and/or fuel cell thesecondary power source) of the fuel level monitor. When a battery isused, the battery is typically a rechargeable battery; however, this isnot required. The rechargeable battery, when used, can be recharged bythe electric generator, solar cell, etc. In still yet another and/oralternative embodiment of the invention, the fuel level monitor includesa fuel level sensor assembly that monitors and/or detects a fuel levelin the fuel tank and/or filler tube and sends such information to thefuel level indicator. The fuel level sensor assembly can be designed tomeasure the fuel level within the fuel tank and/or filler tube by amechanical, chemical and/or electrical sensing arrangement. In oneaspect of this embodiment, the fuel level sensor assembly is at leastpartially located in the fuel tank and is designed to measure at leastone fuel level in the fuel tank. In another and/or alternative aspect ofthis embodiment, the fuel level sensor assembly is at least partiallylocated in the fuel tank and is designed to measure a plurality of fuellevels in the fuel tank. In still another and/or alternative aspect ofthis embodiment, the fuel level sensor assembly is at least partiallylocated in the filler tube and is designed to measure at least one fuellevel in the filler tube. In yet another and/or alternative aspect ofthis embodiment, the fuel level sensor assembly is at least partiallylocated in the filler tube and is designed to measure a plurality offuel levels in the filler tube.

In accordance with yet another and/or alternative aspect of the presentinvention, a grommet is provided to be at least partially inserted inthe tube access opening of the housing of the engine driven device. Inone embodiment of the invention, the grommet is designed to at leastpartially seal the region about the tube access opening to inhibitand/or prevent fluids from entering the interior of the housing of theengine driven device. The tube access opening in the housing isgenerally located on the top of the housing of the engine welder;however, a portion of the tube access opening can be located on the sideof the housing of the engine welder. The grommet is designed to coverall or substantially all of the tube access opening. In one aspect ofthis embodiment, the outer edges of the grommet overlie the edges of thetube access opening to form a partial seal between the grommet andsurface of the housing. The partially seal inhibits or prevents fluidsfrom entering the interior of the housing through the tube accessopening. The outer edges can be partially or completely secured to thesurface of the housing to facilitate in the sealing action. The outeredges can be removably or irremovably secured to the housing surface bya variety of arrangements such as, but not limited to, adhesives, hookand loop fasteners, snaps, positioning nubs, screws, bolts, clips,tongue and groove arrangements, etc. In one non-limiting designed, thebottom surface of the grommet includes at least one positioning stubthat is designed to be inserted into a hole in the housing of the enginedriven device. The positioning stub is designed to at least partiallyensure that the grommet is properly positioned about the tube accessopening. The positioning stub also facilities in reducing movement ofthe grommet about the tube access opening which could compromise thesealing effect of the grommet. The positioning stub can include at leastone groove and/or rib that is at least partially designed to inhibit orprevent the stub from inadvertently releasing from the hole in thehousing. In another and/or alternative aspect of this embodiment, thegrommet includes an access opening flange that is designed to extenddownwardly into the tube access opening when the grommet is positionedand secured over and in the tube access opening. The size and shape ofthe flange is typically selected to closely match the size and shape ofthe tube access opening. Typically the size and shape of the flange isselected to form a partial or fully seal between the flange and the tubeaccess opening. The flange can include at least one groove and/or ribthat is at least partially designed to inhibit or prevent the flangefrom inadvertently releasing from tube access opening.

In accordance with still yet another and/or alternative aspect of thepresent invention, the grommet includes a side wall that rises upwardlyfrom the base of the grommet and forms an internal cavity. The side wallgenerally rises about 0.2-5 inches, and typically about 0.5-1.5 inches;however, other lengths can be used. The internal cavity is designed tocapture and direct fluids that inadvertently spill during the fueling ofthe engine welding. Such spills can occur when an operator maintainsfuel flow through a fueling nozzle when the inserting or removing thenozzle from the opening of the top fill section on the filler tube. Thecaptured fuel in the internal cavity is typically directed to one regionof the grommet to enable the captured fuel to flow off the upper surfaceof the grommet. When the grommet is located on the top surface of theengine welder housing, the grommet typically causes fluids captured inthe internal cavity to be directed to and over a side of the housingthat is positioned closely adjacent to the tube access opening. In oneembodiment of the invention, the internal cavity includes a lip that isdesigned to at least partially direct fuel or other liquids over and/oraway from the side of the engine driven device. As such, the lipfacilitates in the removal of fluids in the internal cavity of thegrommet. The lip can also be designed to reduces the amount of liquidthat travels down the side of the housing of the engine welder. In oneembodiment of the invention, the lip extends at least partially over theside of the housing when the grommet is positioned about a tube accessopening located in the top of the housing. The lip can be designed toextend outwardly from the side of the housing. When the lip extendsoutwardly from the side of the housing, the lip generally extends about0.0625-3 inches. In another and/or alternative embodiment of theinvention, the internal cavity of the grommet at least partially slopesdownwardly and toward a side of the housing of an engine welder when thegrommet is positioned about the tube access opening of the housing. Thedownward slope facilitates in causing fluids which spill into theinternal cavity of the grommet to flow out of the internal cavity andover and/or out from the side of the housing of the engine welder so asto reduce the amount of stagnate fluid in the internal cavity of thegrommet. In one aspect of this embodiment, the angle of slope is about1-20°. In another and/or alternative aspect of this embodiment, when theinternal cavity includes a lip, the lip is also sloped. In onenon-limiting design, the lip has the same slope as the slope in theother regions of the internal cavity. In another non-limiting design,the lip has a different slope from the slope in the other regions of theinternal cavity.

In accordance with a further and/or alternative aspect of the presentinvention, the grommet is made up of one or more materials to satisfythe durability needs and versatility needs of the grommet. In oneembodiment of the invention, the grommet is made of a material that isflexible and resists degradation by petroleum products. In one aspect ofthis embodiment, the grommet includes, but is not limited to, rubber,plastic and/or various types of composite materials. In another and/oralternative embodiment, the grommet is a one-piece structure.

In accordance with still a further and/or alternative aspect of thepresent invention, the internal cavity of the grommet includes a tubeopening which provides access to at least a region of the top portion ofthe filler tube or a portion of the top fill section on the filler tube.In one embodiment of the invention, when the grommet includes an accessopening flange, the tube opening extends into the central region definedby the an access opening flange. In another and/or alternativeembodiment of the invention, the tube opening has a generally circularshape. As can be appreciated, other non-circular shapes can be used. Instill another and/or alternative embodiment of the invention, a sealingstructure which is positioned about the tube opening and is designed toat least partially form a seal about the region of the top portion ofthe filler tube or the portion of the top fill section that passesupwardly through the tube opening when the grommet is position about thetube access opening on the engine welder housing. The sealing structureis designed to at least partially inhibit or prevent fluids, which spillfrom the opening in the top fill section or are spilled in the internalcavity of the grommet during refueling, from seeping through the tubeand into the housing of the engine welder. In one aspect of thisembodiment, the sealing structure includes a flexible flap. The flexibleflap is designed to at least partially engage at least a portion of thefiller tube or portion of the top fill section. In one non-limitingdesign, the flexible flap slopes upwardly from the tube opening. Theupward slope exists prior to the grommet being inserted about the tubeaccess opening. This upward sloping arrangement of the flexible flapfacilitates in ensuring that a proper seal is formed at least about aportion of the filler tube or portion of the top fill section when thegrommet is inserted about the tube access opening. In anothernon-limiting design, the flexible flap has an angle of slope of about5-50°. This angle may or may not increase when the flexible flap isinserted at least about a portion of the filler tube or portion of thetop fill section. In still another non-limiting design, the thickness ofat least a portion of the flexible flap is variable such that theportion of the flexible flap that is designed to engage the filler tubeor top fill section is thinner than other portions of the flexible flap.Such variable thickness facilitates in the flexibility of the flexibleflap when being inserted at least about a portion of the filler tube orportion of the top fill section. In yet another non-limiting design, thethickness of the flexible flap is substantially constant. Instill yetanother non-limiting design, the smallest cross-sectional opening areaformed by the flexible flap is smaller than the portion of the fillertube or portion of the top fill section passing through the opening inthe flexible flap so as to cause the sealing structure to at leastpartially stretch and/or bend about at least a portion of the surface ofthe filler tube or portion of the top fill section to form asubstantially tight fit and seal.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a fuelingassembly which minimizes the incidents of splashback and spilloverduring fueling.

Another and/or alternative object of the present invention is to providea fueling assembly which is easy to service and install.

Yet another and/or alternative object of the present invention is toprovide a fueling assembly which has proper sealing, and which minimizesor prevents fluids from contaminating the interior of the engine drivendevice when a fuel spill occurs.

Still another and/or alternative object of the present invention is toprovide a fueling assembly which minimizes damage to the fuelingassembly components during the operation of the engine driven device.

Still yet another and/or alternative object of the present invention isto provide a fueling assembly which includes a fuel gauge to monitorfuel levels to thereby reduce or prevent spillage.

A further and/or alternative object of the present invention is toprovide a fueling assembly which includes a fuel gauge having a fuelindicator that registers a plurality of fuel levels within the fuel tankof the fuel assembly.

Another and/or alternative object of the present invention is to providea fuel assembly which includes a fuel gauge that operates when theengine welder is in use and when not in use.

Still another and/or alternative object of the present invention is toprovide a fuel assembly which includes a fuel gauge that has anauxiliary power supply.

Yet another and/or alternative object of the present invention is toprovide a fuel assembly that enables an operator to fill a fuel tank andsimultaneously monitor the fuel gauge.

Still yet another and/or alternative object of the present invention isto provide a fuel assembly having a visual and/or audible fuel gaugeand/or alarm.

A further and/or alternative object of the present invention is toprovide a fuel assembly which includes a grommet that forms a fluid sealin a tube access opening of an engine driven device.

Still a further and/or alternative object of the present invention is toprovide a fuel assembly which includes a one-piece grommet that can beconnected to the top of the housing of the engine driven device.

Yet a further and/or alternative object of the present invention is toprovide a fuel assembly which includes a grommet having a flexible flapwhich forms a seal with components of the fueling assembly that protrudethrough the grommet.

Still yet a further and/or alternative object of the present inventionis to provide a grommet having a sloped surface which facilitates in theflow of flows out of the grommet.

Another and/or alternative object of the present invention is to providea fueling assembly which includes a grommet having a positioning stub toposition a portion of the grommet in the tube access opening and/or tomaintain in position the grommet in the tube access opening.

Still another and/or alternative object of the present invention is toprovide a fueling assembly which includes a grommet that directs fluidover and/or away from the side of an engine driven device.

Yet another and/or alternative object of the present invention is toprovide a fueling assembly which includes a grommet having a lip thatextends over or outwardly from the housing of the engine drive device.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and following thisdescription taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference may now be made to the drawings which illustrate variousembodiments that the invention may take in physical form and certainparts and arrangements of parts wherein:

FIG. 1 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a housing of an enginewelder showing a grommet a fuel assembly in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 1A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line 1A-1A ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top section of the housing of theengine welder illustrating the position of the grommet on the top of thehousing;

FIG. 3 cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the grommet in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the grommet in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a front exploded perspective view of the grommet in relationto the top section of the housing of the engine welder;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a modification of thegrommet;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the housing illustrating thelocation of the fuel level indicator on the front panel of the housing;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the fuel level indicator;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the fuel level indicator;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of another filler tube configurationin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of a filler tube in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the fuel assemblyshowing a modification of a filler tube in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14;and,

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purposesof illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention only and notfor the purpose of limiting the same, FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of across-section of housing 20 which is secured to a typical engine welderor other engine driven device, not shown. Housing 20 includes a topregion 22 and two side regions 24. The housing is designed to encase atleast a portion of the internal components of the engine welder or otherengine driven device. Typically positioned in top region 22 of thehousing is an exhaust pipe opening, not shown, and a motor accessopening, not shown. The housing is typically secured by bolts, screws orother means to the frame of the engine welder or other engine drivendevice. The configuration of the exhaust pipe opening and motor accessopening are well known in the art and are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,928,535; 6,172,332; 6,263,926; and 6,296,027, which are incorporatedherein by reference.

Positioned in the top region 22 of the housing 20 is a grommet 40.Grommet 40 is positioned in the tube access opening 36 of the housing 20as illustrated in FIG. 7. Tube access opening 36 is formed by a cut-outsection of the top section of the housing. The tube access opening ispositioned closely adjacent to, but spaced from, a side 24 of housing 20and the front panel 26 of the engine welder. The tube access opening istypically positioned in the housing such that over a majority of thetube access opening is positioned in the top region of the housing; andmore typically about 75-100 percent of the tube access opening ispositioned in the top region of the housing. As illustrated in FIG. 1,the tube access opening is positioned fully in the top region of thehousing. As shown in FIG. 1, grommet 40 is inserted into tube accessopening 36 and seals the tube access opening to inhibit or preventfluids from entering the interior of the housing.

As best shown in FIG. 1, a fuel tank 90 is positioned and secured in thebase of the engine welder or engine driven device. Fuel tank 90 suppliesfuel to the fuel powered motor, not shown, in the engine welder orengine driven device. Positioned on the top region of fuel tank 90 is afiller tube 100 which extends upwardly from fuel tank 90 and to tubeaccess opening 36 in housing 20. Filler tube 100 includes side walls102. The side wall 102 is formed in such a manner to be positioned aboutthe internal components within the engine welder or engine drivendevice. Filler tube 100 and fuel tank 90 are shown to be made of aone-piece material; however, filler tube 100 can be connected to thefuel tank in other arrangements (e.g. weld, solder, adhesive, etc.). Thefiller tube is also illustrated as being formed from a single piece ofmaterial; however, the filler tube can be formed from multiplecomponents. The fuel tank and filler tube are made of durable materials(e.g., metal, plastic, etc.) The fuel tank and filler material can bemade of the same or different materials.

The filler tube includes a top portion 104 and a bottom portion 106.Generally the top 40-60 percent of the longitudinal length a of fillertube defines the top portion of the filler tube and the lower 40-60percent of the longitudinal length a of the filler tube defines thebottom portion of the filler tube. As shown in FIG. 1, the division ofthe top portion and bottom portion is indicated by a dashed line whichshows that the top half of the longitudinal length a of the filler tubedefines the top portion of the filler tube and the lower half of thelongitudinal length a of the filler tube defines the bottom portion ofthe filler tube. The shape of the filler tube is shown to be generallyconical shaped; however, many other shapes can be used. The base of thefiller tube has a larger diameter than top of the filler tube. Thediameter of the filler tube is shown to constantly decrease from thebottom to the top of the filler tube. As a result, bottom portion ofsaid filler tube has a cross-sectional area that is greater that anyregion in the top portion of the filler tube. The volume of the bottomportion of the filler tube is also greater than the top portion of thefiller tube. Generally the volume of the bottom portion of the fillertube to the fuel tank is at least about 1.2 times greater that thevolume of the top portion of the filler fuel tube, and typically thevolume of the bottom portion is about 1.4-3 times the volume of the topportion of the filler tube. In addition, the largest cross-section areain the bottom portion of the filler tube is generally at least about 1.2times greater that the smallest cross-section area in the top portion ofthe filler tube, and typically the largest cross-section area in thebottom portion of the filler tube is about 1.5-6 times greater that thesmallest cross-section area in the top portion of the filler tube. Thelarge cross-sectional area and volume of the bottom portion of thefiller tube is designed to reduce the rate at which the fuel rises inthe filler tube after the fuel tank has been filled. The design of thefiller tube is a significant improvement over prior filler tube designs.The reduced rate that the fuel rises in the filler tube during thefilling of the filler tube with fuel allows an operator more time toterminate the flow of fuel into the filler tube once the operator isnotified or learns from the fuel level indicator that the fuel tank isfilled, thereby preventing or reducing the number of incidents of backflow or back splash of the fuel in the filler tube during the refuelingprocess. The reduced rate at which fuel rises in the filler tube alsoallows for sufficient back pressure to build in the filler tube to causethe fuel nozzle to terminate the flow of fuel into the filler tubebefore the fuel level in the filler tube has a change to rise closeenough to the top of the filler tube. As a result the incidence ofspills from undesired back flow of the fuel in the filler tube areprevent or substantially reduced.

The top portion 102 of the filler tube includes a top fill section 110.The top fill section can be formed at the end of the filler tube or beconnected to the top end 108 of the top portion of the filler tube by aweld, solder, adhesive or the like. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the topend 108 of the top portion is positioned closely adjacent to andslightly below the tube access opening. As can be appreciated, thefiller tube can be deigned such that the top end extends to or above thetube access opening. The top fill portion includes threads 112 that aredesigned to removably secure a cap 120 to the top of top fill portion.The top fill portion also includes an opening 114 that is designed toreceive a fuel nozzle, not shown, to fill the fuel tank with fuel. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the top fill section extends above the tubeaccess opening and grommet 40. The lower threads on the top fill portionalso extend above the tube access opening and the grommet so that cap120 can be easily secured to and removed from the top fill section.

As shown in FIG. 1A, a fuel level monitor is used to indicate the levelof fuel in the fuel tank. The fuel level monitor includes a fuel gauge130 and a fuel level sensor 140. The fuel level sensor is located in thefuel tank and is designed to measure one or more fuel levels in the fueltank. The fuel level sensor is illustrated as having a base probe 142extending slightly into the fuel tank. The base probe is used to detecta the level of fuel F in the fuel tank and transmit a signal via wire150 to the fuel gauge 130. As can be appreciated, the base probe can bedesigned to extend any distance into the fuel tank to obtain thedesigned fuel level measurements in the fuel tank. As can also beappreciated, the fuel level sensor can be alternatively positioned inthe filler tube or an additional fuel level sensor can be positioned inthe filler tube. The fuel level sensor can be designed to usemechanical, chemical and/or electrical means to detect a fuel level. Asillustrated in FIGS. 1A, 2 & 9, the fuel gauge is located in the frontpanel of the engine welder. The fuel gauge includes a meter 132 having apointer 133 that indicates the level of the fuel in the fuel tank. Aclear protective cover 134 (e.g. plastic, glass, etc.) is position overthe meter to protect the internal components of the fuel gauge. The fuellevel indicator provides the operator with information on the amount offuel left in fuel tank, thereby providing the operator with informationto determine whether a particular operation should be started andcompleted prior to the fuel in the fuel tank being exhausted. If anoperator determines that the operation will take more time than theamount of fuel in the fuel tank can provide to run the engine, theoperator can re-fill the fuel tank prior to operation so that theoperation does not have to be prematurely terminated and restarted dueto the engine running out of fuel. The fuel gauge can include a light toilluminate when one or more detected fuel levels in the fuel tank and/orfiller tube are detected, or illuminate when the fuel level monitor isin operation. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the fuel gauge includes ridges136 that engage a clip structure 28 to secure the fuel gauge in thefront panel of the engine welder. The back of the fuel gauge includes aset of connectors 138 to which wire 150 is connected. A rib 139 ispositioned adjacent to the connector for facilitating in securing aconnector housing 152 on the end of wire 150 to the connectors of thefuel gauge.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2, an audible alarm 160 is secured to the frontpanel of the engine welder. As can be appreciated, the audible alarm canbe located in other locations on the engine welder (e.g., top ofhousing, back of housing, side of housing, etc.). A wire 162 isconnected between the fuel gauge and the audible alarm. The audiblealarm is designed to make a sound when one or more detected fuel levelsin the fuel tank and/or filler tube are detected. The audible alarm canbe designed to generate different sounds and/or sound levels fordifferent detected fuel levels. The audible alarm can include a light toilluminate when one or more detected fuel levels in the fuel tank and/orfiller tube are detected. The light, like sound, is used to drawn theoperator's attention to the fuel gauge. The audible alarm is used todraw an operator's attention to the fuel gauge so as to notify theoperator that a particular fuel level in the fuel tank has been reachedand/or exceeded. During the fuel of the engine welder, the operator maybecome distracted. The audible alarm is useful in regaining theattention of the operator during the fueling process so as to facilitatein the reduction or elimination of spills during the fueling process, ascan be appreciated, the audible alarm can be used as a back up monitorin the instances wherein the fuel gauge fails or provides an inaccuratefuel level reading.

The fuel level monitor illustrated in FIG. 1A is electrically powered.The fuel level monitor can be solely powered by the electricitygenerated by the engine welder during operation of the engine welder.Alternatively, the fuel level monitor can be solely powered by aseparate power source (e.g., battery, solar cell, fuel cell, etc.). Bypowering the fuel level monitor by a separate power source, the enginewelder does not need to be operating during the refueling of the fueltank. Another alternative, which is illustrated in FIG. 1A, is thepowering of the fuel level monitor by a combination of power sources. Abattery 170 is positioned on the interior surface of the front panel. Ascan be appreciated, the battery can be located in other areas. Thebattery is connected by wire 172 to audible alarm 170; however, it canbe appreciated that the wire from the battery can be connected to otheror additional components of the fuel level monitor. A wire 174 isconnected between the battery an another energy source (e.g. fuel cell,solar panel, electric generator in the engine welder, etc.), not shown.The fuel level monitor can utilize a circuit to control the power to thecomponents of the fuel level monitor. The circuit can be used to 1)direct power to the fuel level monitor from the battery and the otherenergy source is used to recharge the battery, 2) direct power to thefuel level monitor from the other energy source and the battery is useda backup energy source when the other energy source fails, is notoperating or is not operating to generate sufficient energy, or 3)direct power to the fuel level monitor from the other energy source andthe battery is used a backup energy source when the other energy sourcefails, is not operating or is not operating to generate sufficientenergy, and the other energy source is also used to recharge thebattery. As can be appreciated, other circuit configurations can beused. As a result, by using a battery, the fuel level monitor can beoperated when the engine welder is running or is not running.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-8, grommet 40 is designed to at least partiallythe tube access opening to inhibit or prevent fluids from entering theinterior of the housing. The grommet is also designed to direct fuelthat spills into the grommet to a side of the engine welder. The grommetis generally a one-piece structure made of a flexible material such asrubber. As can be appreciated, the grommet can be a multi-piecestructure that is connected together by various means (e.g. heat,adhesive, etc.). As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7, grommet 40 includes abase surface 42 and a side wall 44 that extends about the outerperimeter of the grommet. The base surface and side wall for an internalcavity 50 in the grommet. A tube opening 60 is positioned in the basesurface of the grommet. The tube opening is shown to be circular;however, other shapes can be used. The shape of the tube opening isselected to enable the top of the filler tube or top fill section toextend through the tube opening. Typically the tube opening closelymatches the cross-section shape of the top of the filler tube or topfill section that extends through the tube opening. Positioned on thebottom side 46 of the grommet is an access opening flange 70 extendingdownward from the bottom surface. Positioned in the outer surface of theaccess opening flange 70 are one or more ribs 72 as shown in FIGS. 3, 5and 6. The access opening flange that is designed to extend downwardlyinto the tube access opening when the grommet is positioned and securedover and in the tube access opening as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 8.The size and shape of the flange is typically selected to closely matchthe size and shape of the tube access opening. Typically the size andshape of the flange is selected to form a partial or full seal betweenthe access opening flange and the tube access opening. The grooves onthe access opening flange are designed to inhibit the flange frominadvertently releasing from tube access opening as illustrated in FIGS.3 and 8. The bottom surface of the grommet includes a plurality ofpositioning stubs 74. The positioning stubs includes a rib 76. Thepositioning stubs are designed to be inserted into stub openings 29 inthe top surface of the housing as illustrated in FIG. 7. The positioningstub is used to at least partially ensure that the grommet properlyabout the tube access opening. The positioning stub also facilities inreducing movement of the grommet about the tube access opening whichcould compromise the sealing effect of the grommet. The rib on thepositioning stub is at least partially designed to inhibit or preventthe stub from inadvertently releasing from the stub opening in thehousing. The bottom surface of the grommet and the access opening flangefunction as dual seals to inhibit or prevent fluids from entering intothe housing through the tube access opening. At least a portion of thebottom surface of the grommet is held downwardly and close to thesurface of the housing by the positioning stubs thereby forming at leastone partial seal so as to limit the amount of fluid that becomesentrapped under the grommet. The access opening flange forms the secondseal to inhibit or prevent fluids that have flowed between the bottomsurface of the grommet and the top surface of the housing from enteringthe housing through the tube access opening.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 9, the top fill section 110 extendsthrough tube opening 60 and above the base surface of the grommet. Aseal flap 62 that is positioned on the base surface of the grommet andabout the perimeter of the tube opening engages the outer surface of thetop fill section to form a seal between the top fill section and grommet40. The seal flap is shown to angle upwardly from the base surface ofthe grommet and toward the central axis of the tube opening. The upwardangle is generally about 5-60°, and typically about 10-40°. The sealformed by the seal flap inhibits or prevents fluids from flowing throughtube opening 60 in grommet 40. When grommet 40 is inserted into tubeaccess opening 36, seal flap 62 is positioned about the top fillsection. The shape and size of the seal flap is about the same size andshape as, or a lesser size and shape than the top fill section so that aseal and/or at least semi-stable connection is formed between the sealflap and the top fill section. The seal flap is generally flexible orsemi-flexible to enable the seal flap to deflect slightly upwardly whenthe top fill section is passed through tube opening to ensure that atight seal forms between the seal flap and the top fill section.

Grommet 40 is shown as including a lip 48. Lip 48 is formed at the endof the base surface 42. The lip is illustrated as partially curving overa side of the housing of the engine welder. The lip is designed todirect fluids that have spilled into the grommet internal cavity to flowoutwardly from the cavity and over the side of the side of housing 20.As such, the lip facilitates in the flow of fluids from the internalcavity of the grommet.

When grommet 40 is secured in tube access opening 36, the base surfaceslopes downwardly toward lip 72 as illustrated in FIG. 8. The slopedbase surface causes fluids which spill into the internal cavity of thegrommet to flow out of the internal cavity and onto the lip and thenover the side of the housing. The sloped surface also causes the fluidflowing from the internal cavity of the grommet to accelerate as thefluid approaches the lip. The faster moving the fluid facilitates in thefluid spilling over the lip.

The fueling assembly of the present invention as described above hasmany advantages over prior fuel systems for engine welders. The uniqueconfiguration of the filler tube reduces the incidents of fuel gushingupwardly in the filler tube and spilling of the housing of the enginewelder during the refilling of the fuel tank. The grommet used on thehousing of the engine welder utilizes a plurality of seals to reduce theoccurrences of fuel or other fluids inadvertently entering the interiorof the housing. The unique positioning of the fuel gauge and the openingfor fueling enables an operator to view the fueling gauge while fillingthe fuel tank. The location of the opening for fueling eliminates theproblems associated with blind fueling that resulted when the openingwas located on the side of the housing of the engine welder.

Another filler tube configuration is illustrated in FIGS. 12-16. Thefiller tube 200 is secured to a fuel tank 150. The filler tube can beformed as a one piece structure with the fuel tank or be connected tothe fuel tank by a weld, solder, adhesive, etc. As best shown in FIGS.14 and 16, filler tube 200 which extends upwardly from fuel tank 150 andto a point just below the tube access opening in the housing of theengine welder housing 20. Filler tube 200 includes side walls 202. Theconfiguration of the filler tube is selected so that it can bepositioned about the internal components of the engine welder or enginedriven device. The filler tube is illustrated as being formed from asingle piece of material; however, the filler tube can be formed frommultiple components. The fuel tank and filler tube are made of durablematerials (e.g., metal, plastic, etc.) The fuel tank and filler materialcan be made of the same or different materials.

The filler tube includes a top portion 204 and a bottom portion 206.Generally the top half of the longitudinal length b of the filler tubedefines the top portion of the filler tube and the lower half of thelongitudinal length b of the filler tube defines the bottom portion ofthe filler tube. As shown in FIG. 16, the division of the top portionand bottom portion is indicated by a dashed line. The cross-sectionalshape of the filler tube is shown to be generally rectangular. Thebottom portion of the filler tube has a larger diameter rectangularcross-sectional area than the rectangular cross-sectional area of thetop portion. A majority of the bottom portion of the filler tube isshown to have a substantially constant cross-sectional area. Close tothe top region of the bottom portion, the cross-sectional area tapersdownwardly at a transition area 210 until obtaining the size of thecross-sectional area of the top portion. The cross-sectional area of thetop portion is illustrated as being substantially uniform along thecomplete longitudinal length of the top portion. As a result, the bottomportion of said filler tube has a cross-sectional area that is greaterthat any region in the top portion of the filler tube. The volume of thebottom portion of the filler tube is also greater than the top portionof the filler tube. The large cross-sectional area and volume of thebottom portion of the filler tube is designed to reduce the rate atwhich the fuel rises in the filler tube after the fuel tank has beenfilled. As a result the incidence of spills from undesired back flow ofthe fuel in the filler tube are prevent or substantially reduced.

The top end 212 of top portion 204 of the filler tube includes a topfill section 220. The top fill section can be formed at the end of thefiller tube or be connected to the top end of the top portion of thefiller tube by a weld, solder, adhesive or the like. As illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 16, the top end 212 is positioned closely adjacent to andslightly below the tube access opening in the housing. The top fillportion includes threads 222 that are designed to removably secure a cap120 to the top 224 of top fill portion. The top fill portion includes anopening 226 that is designed to receive a fuel nozzle, not shown, tofill the fuel tank with fuel. The top fill section extends above thetube access opening and grommet 40 as shown in FIGS. 14 and 16. Thelower threads on the top fill portion also extend above the tube accessopening and the base surface of the grommet so that cap 120 can beeasily secured to and removed from the top fill section. The top fillsection also includes a recess opening 230. The recess opening is usedto facilitate in the holding a pump nozzle of a fuel pump in opening 226of the top fill portion. The size of the recess opening is selected toaccommodate certain types of fuel nozzles. Fuel nozzles for gasolinehave a smaller nozzle diameter than fuel nozzles for diesel fuel. Therecess opening can be formed by an insert placed in the top fillportion, can be formed as a one piece structure in the top fill section,or can be a separate piece that is connected to the base of the top fillsection by a weld, solder, adhesive of the like.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment and alternatives thereof. It is believed that manymodifications and alterations to the embodiments disclosed readilysuggest themselves to those skilled in the art upon reading andunderstanding the detailed description of the invention. It is intendedto include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they comewithin the scope of the present invention.

1. A fueling assembly for an engine driven welder, said engine drivenwelder including a housing with a filler tube access opening, saidfueling assembly including a filler tube, a fuel level monitor and afuel tank, said fuel tank designed to supply fuel to an engine locatedat least partially in said housing, said filler tube including a bottomportion and a top portion, said top portion including an upper endpositioned at least closely adjacent to said filler tube access opening,said bottom portion of said filler tube including a lower openingconnected to said fuel tank, said fuel level monitor including a fuellevel indicator positioned on a front panel of said housing, said fillertube access opening at least partially positioned on a top side of saidhousing, said fuel level indicator spaced from said filler tube accessopening, said fuel level indicator including a lighted display, ananalog display, a digital display, or combinations thereof, said fuellevel monitor including a fuel level sensor that is at least partiallypositioned in said fuel tank.
 2. The fueling assembly as defined inclaim 1, wherein said fuel level monitor is at least partially poweredby an electric power source, said electric power source including asource selected from the group consisting of a battery, an electricgenerator, or combinations thereof.
 3. The fueling assembly as definedin claim 1, wherein said top portion of said filler tube is adapted toreleaseably receive a fuel cap that is designed to cover an opening insaid top portion.
 4. The fueling assembly as defined in claim 1, whereinat least a portion of said top portion of said filler tube extends abovesaid filler tube access opening.
 5. The fueling assembly as defined inclaim 1, wherein said fuel level indicator is positioned on said housingto enable an operator to simultaneously view said fuel level indicatorand an opening in said top portion of said filler tube when fuel isinserted into said top portion of said filler tube.
 6. The fuelingassembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said fueling assembly includes agrommet, said grommet at least partially sealing said tube accessopening to inhibit fluids from entering an interior of said housing. 7.A fueling assembly for an engine driven welder, said engine drivenwelder including a housing with a filler tube access opening, saidfueling assembly including a filler tube, a fuel level monitor and afuel tank, said fuel tank designed to supply fuel to an engine locatedat least partially in said housing, at least a majority of said fueltank positioned in said housing, said filler tube including a bottomportion and a top portion, said top portion including an upper endpositioned at least closely adjacent to said filler tube access opening,said bottom portion of said filler tube including a lower openingconnected to said fuel tank, said fuel level monitor including a fuellevel indicator means positioned on a front panel of said housing, saidfiller tube access opening at least partially positioned on a top sideof said housing, said fuel level indicator means spaced from said fillertube access opening, said fuel level indicator including display meansfor providing information about fuel levels in said fuel tank, said fuellevel monitor including sensor means for detecting fuel levels in saidfuel tank.
 8. The fueling assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein saidfuel level monitor includes power means for supplying electrical powerto at least one component of said fuel level monitor.
 9. The fuelingassembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said fuel level indicator meansis positioned on said housing to enable an operator to simultaneouslyview said fuel level indicator means and an opening in said top portionof said filler tube when fuel is inserted into said top portion of saidfiller tube.
 10. The fueling assembly as defined in claim 7, whereinsaid fueling assembly includes sealing means for at least partiallysealing said tube access opening to inhibit fluids from entering aninterior of said housing.